Riverplate too tough in Rangitikei Gold Cup

Consistent performer Riverplate (NZ) (Flying Artie) showed his rivals no mercy as he ran them into the dust when taking out the Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday.

The Andrew Campbell-prepared galloper has been in a purple patch of form of late and that continued in the hands of red-hot apprentice Toni Davies who claimed a winning treble with a heady frontrunning ride.

After jumping well from barrier two, Riverplate held out Cambridge galloper Khafre (American Pharoah) for the early pacemaking duties and he was travelling beautifully under a hold approaching the home corner.

Sticking hard up against the inside rail, Riverplate kicked powerfully for Davies and never looked like being headed as he went to the line two lengths to the good of Talisker (NZ) (Embellish), with Tisse (NZ) (Belardo) producing an eye-catching late finish to take third.

Riverplate began his career with Campbell before he joined the Victorian stable of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young where he won four races at Sandown for them and one at Murray Bridge from Michael Hickmott’s South Australian operation before returning home where he was retired to the Highden Park operation of Libby and Sam Bleakley.

The seven-year-old gelding made a comeback from retirement late last year and Campbell has been working him on the beach, with his new environment agreeing with the son of Flying Artie, who has now won three of his last six starts.

Campbell was rapt with the win for a horse that holds a special place in his heart.

“That was just an awesome win,” Campbell said.

“In fact, it might be at the top of my list even though we have won some big races, just to have this guy come back from where he has been and to win his first stakes race as a seven-year-old is simply amazing.

“It is just a feel-good story all round as he has a great group of owners who have been with me a long time plus all my stable staff have a small share in him.

“We have been trying him at the beach and he is thriving. It works out well as while he is working in the surf I‘m out there getting a feed of pipis.”

Campbell also paid tribute to the effort of Davies who was having her first ride aboard the horse.

“It was a gun ride, her first time aboard and she rated him perfectly,” he said.

“I’m thrilled for her as she rang me for the ride, the only jockey who did, and to get that result shows you just what hard work can do.

“I think she is a very promising rider and has a future ahead of her.

“I don’t have any plans for the horse, he will be back to the beach again on Monday and we can look around after that.

“The way he won today he might even get to 2000m, but that is something we will think about a little later on.

“He is eventually going to become the family pet when he does finish on the track and I know my kids will love that.”

Riverplate has now won nine races for his large group of owners and more than $445,000 in prizemoney, with this victory his first at stakes level.